Improvement in lumber-driers



'No. 81,074. PATENTED AUG. 18, 1868.

' J. 'DUBOIS.

LUMBER DRIER.

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PATENTED AUG. 18, 1868.

J. DUBOIS.

LUMBER DRIER.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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LettersPa tent No. 81,014, dated August 18, 1868 IMPROVEMENT IN LUll IBERiDBIERS.

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TO ALL "WHOM IT'MA CONCERN;

Be it known that I, JOHN DU BQI S, of Williamspor't, in the county of Lycomiug, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drying-Sheds, and the Method of Sticking Lumher for Drying and Seasoning; and the following isa full, clear; and exact description of the same, reference being bad to the drawings accompanying this specification, and forming a part of the same, in which- Figure 1, Plate I, represents an endview of a drying-shed, on my'plan, for a new method of sticking lumber for drying and seasoning. I i I Figure 2 shows a view of one of the strips or sticks to be placed between the rows of plank. Eigurc 3 shows-an end view of a series of the strips, resting on the'ribbed girts of the frame.

Figure 4 is a brokeu-oflsection of a strip, with the cleat across the end, resting on the girt, thereby forming a support to hold the strip to its p.la'ce.

Figure 5, Plate II, represents a ground plan of one-of the double sections of my improved plan of constructing sheds for seasoning lumber, showingthe elevated track, running thrqnghthe central portion of the sheds, for carrying in and removing thelumber.

Figure 6, Plate III, represents an open side elevation of the double drying-shed,.,showing a truck on the track, the platform being so constructed as to swivel round, and turn the load oi lumber across the track, to

be taken oil'and stuck in each section on endfor seasoning,

The object of my invention is to drain the lumber of the sap and moisture, to prevent its staining, and to facilitate the drying, and at the same time to allow the circulation of air to come in contact with every portion of the surface of both sides of the plank or boards, which is not the case with lumber stuck for seasoning by any other method known or used.

In most cases, where lumber is stack for seasoning oudrying, two or more timbers are laid down parallel to each other; on which one course of plank, boards, scantling, or joist is'laid. Upon themand across, a single piece of lumber, directly over each timber, is laid, and another course of lumber laid upon them, and so on, in

succession, until the pile is finished ready for theroofing. Then a foundation is made upon the pile, by layingseveral pieces of lumber, one piece upon the other, at one end of the pile, and one at'tho other, and sufiicient height at the middle to bring the tops of the piles iu aline, upon which two or more courses-of boards are laid loose, and breaking joints, thereby forming a temporaryro'of to shelter the pile, causing great loss in the damage of the roof-hoards in each pile, which are exposed to the weather, and generally not suflicient 'to proteet the lumber from storms, and the entire inability to dry the lumber, where the cross-boards are laid one above the other on the pile, causing a solid body, from the great weight of lumber in the pile, which entirely excludes thc'air from circulating, and retaining the moisture, causing the lumber to rot before it can'season. And in moist, warm weather, it is very liable" to; stain all of the sap-boards, and when they are used for stripping, generally makes a dark'and'decaycd surface across each board on which it lies, thereby reducing them.

in value materially.

With my invention, those diflicultics are almost entirely overcome, as the lumber stands on its end, and the strips used are narrow and dry, and no. weight resting on them to prevent 'the free circulation of. the air, and

allowing the water and moisture in the lumber to descend through thepores of the wood, and thereby causing it to dry rapidly, and prevent the danger of stains and decay; and also, by permanently roofing, I carry the water all off from the piles, andsave all the losses caused by the'damagc on lumber used for temporary roofing.

In order that others may be enabled to construct and use my improved buildings and method of sticking lumber for drying and seasoning, I will describe them more fully, referring-to the drawings, and tothe letters marked thereon. v

I erect frame buildings or drying-sheds, of any desired dimensions, the posts a a a a being of sufiicient length to admit of the grated floors A A being elevated a few feet from the ground, they being made of slats, and quite open, to admit the free circulation of air up through the floor. A short distance above thoplane of the slat or grated floors A A, I place, on the inside of the posts a. a a a, girts b b b 6, having a ribbed edge, e, on the inside, and at suitable distances above. To accommodate the various lengths of lumber, I place two or more rows'of girts or string-pieces clrl on two sides of each compartment or floors for containing the lumber, the girts or stringers d d also having raised ribs 0 a, the same as the lower girts b b. The ribs or raised edges of the girts' are for the purpose of supporting the strips or stickers e e e e, and allow them to be moved along on the girts, as the plank or boards ffff are set up in series on end. The stickers e e e e are made of narrow strips of board, of sufficient length to reach across the whole width of the drying-floor A, extending over the ribs c c on the girts b b. On one-side of each end of the stickers are secured cleats i i 2', which are as wide and project on one side as far as the ribs 0 c are above the rabbet in the edge of the girts (Z d. The cleats 2' ii efl'ectually prevent the strips or stickers from falling off the girts as they are being moved in the process of setting in or. taking out the lumber. r l

The drying-sheds are designed to bebnilt double, with a'space between of sufficient width for an elevated railroadtrack, B B, on which a car, 0, having'a swivel-platform, D, may be loaded with lumber, and run in under the shed, whenithe load can be swivelled round, the end brought to the side, where it is in a convenient position for unlo;ding and setting the lumber on end on the grated or open "floor, and stuck up, by having a strip, e, both at the top and bottom, placed between each series of plank or boards, as seen in fig. 1, and when the seasonedlumber is to be taken out, a swivel-platform car can be placed where the ldmber to be removed is convenient for loading, and easily taken. up, and the ear moved along as required, so that there need be no carrying of lumber any distance. i v

A continuation of drying-sheds or buildings, with the elevated car-track, may be multiplied indefinitely,- so that choice lumber can be seasoned inthe most perfect manner, and handled with the greatest ease and facility, the operation being only to slide it oil the car when it nearly balances, so that it is set on end. The strips e are moved up to it, and soon, until the section is filled, and the lumber being a little inclined towards the ccntre, so that the sections will stand as seen in fig. 1.

By the arrangement of buildings or drying and seasoning-sheds, constructed in the manner as abovedescribed, and an elevated car-track and cars, so constructed that the top or platform will turn on its centre, or swivel round, so that the ends of the lumber loaded on them can be brought to any desired place to betaken off and be stuck on end, it will readily be seen, and has been practicallydemonstrated, that two men can handle and stick up more lumber in one day than six men can do in the same time when put up in piles, as has been the practice for sticking lumber in the yards or sheds for drying heretofore; and the other advantages are so many and so obvious, that it seems strange that such a course has not been discovered, and the mode of setting lumber on end for drying universally adopted.

Lumber standing on end will drain.i'tself of. sap and moisture, and season in about one-half of the time that it will while stuck up in piles, and much more uniformly than it possibly can be seasoned with the weight of-the pile pressing the cleats on to portions of it; and if storms should drive in so as to wet some of the outer portions of it, the lumber being on end,will not retain the moisture, but dry off immediately, and the seasoning. process go on rapidly. And another great tadvantage is, that airmail quantity can be selected. and taken out of any of the sections of the shed, without removing any of the other lumber which cannot be done from piles stuck up for seasoning in the ordinary manner. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The arrangement of dryingsheds, provided with grated or open floors for sticking lumber standing on end, it being held upright by series of strips or stickers, e c e, resting on the girts b b on plates 01 d, substan- ,tially' in the manner as described for the purposes herein set i'ortlh 2. The rib or raised portion on the inner edge of the girts, in combination with the cleats ii on the ends of the strips or stickers e e e, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

3. The applicationof the car 0 with the turn-table frame thereon, and elevated track B, when used in combination with the drying-sheds, constructed as herein set forth. I

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe myn ame inthe presence of-- JOHN DU BOIS.

Witnesses: l

J. B. Woomwrr, Gso. C. GREENE. 

